Undergarment



Nov. 15, 1949 E. A. ROCKWELL 2,487,893

UNDERGARME'NT 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1946 Fgl. 3 l0 Z0 v 7/ INVENTOR. j? Z3 EILEEN A.RUEKMTELL.

. Z3 72 79 27 Mai/W- ZZ Z3 4 Z6 20 I W ATTORNEY NOV. 15, 1949 ROCKWELL 2,487,893

' UNDERGARMENT v Fild May 21, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORQ ATTORNEY- EBIYLEEN A. ROCKWELL.

-the rear.

Patented Nov. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I 2,487,893 i I V UNDERGARMENT v Eileen A. RockwelL; Bridgeport, Conn, assignor to The La Resista Corset Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May- 21, 1946., Serial No. 671,240-

or pants form, and the garment includes sections of elastic material through which it is adapted to confine and mould the body. The usual garment of thistype has a tendency to bind,. draw and twist in the crotch of the pants/portion, especially while walking or climbing, or when assuming sitting or forward leaning postures. This is due to the fact that in assuming such postures the body lines lengthen in theregion of the thighs and buttocks, and, because of the confining nature of the garment, the crotch is strained,.the upper edge of the back-section of the garment is pulled downwardly, and the leg sections ride upwardly. Certain garments of this type have included elastic leg sections, and'an elastic back section, the latter extendin at its lower end portion within the crotch between the elastic leg. sections to which it is secured by stretchable seams. ving of the body lines, stretching of the back sec- In assuming postures causinga lengthention consequently takes place along the entire seam linesof the back section including the lower end portions within th crotch, and also takes place circumferentially about the entire circumference of the two leg sections, with the. result that the upper edge of the garmentis pulled downwardly, the material in the crotch stretches and twists, causing binding and-chafing, and the leg sections are stretched and pulled upwardly at Frequent readjustment and pulling into place of the garment becomes necessary.

I An object ofthe invention is to provide a garmentof bifurcated type, wherein the leg sections are adapted to be confined to a substantially fixed location upon the legs and wherein the upper portion of the back section is adapted to be confined an area of vertical elasticity wherein stretching oiv the side seams of the back section is localized,

, so that lengthening of the body lines may take place while permitting the leg sections and the Claims. (0!. 2-43) elastic rear portion, so that circumferential stretching of the leg sections is confined to'the front portions with the result that the tendency of the rear portions of theleg' sections to slip upon the body is minimized. I

It is further proposed to provide an elastic'back panel having its side edges secured at their lower portions within the'crotch area to the portion of each of the upper edges of the non-elastic back leg sections within the :crotoh'area, so that no stretching of the side edges oithe back panel may take place within the crotch area, further to provide non-elastic side sections secured along the side edges of the elastic back panel at its upper portion, so that no stretching may take place along the upper portions of the side edges of the back panel in the region of the waistline, and furtherto provide elastic insert members between the non-elastic side sections andthe'non-elastic' leg sections having edges secured to intermediate portions of the side'edgesofthe back panel, and along which stretching of the side edges'of the 'back panel is localized.

It is further proposed'to provide leg sections having non-elastic portions, the upper edges of which are adapted to extend along and define the upper lines of the thighs at the rear, thus causin the leg sections to remain in a substantially 1 fixed position upon the thighs and providing substantially fixed anchor points from which the stretchable seam lines of the backpanel extend upwardly to the upper anchor points defined by the points of connection of the non-elastic side "sections with the back panel, thus effectually localizing the stretching of the side seams of the back panel to an area removedboth from the crotch area and from the upper back area in the region of the waistline, I

, With the above and other objects in view, em-

bodimentsof theiinvention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with refejrence thereto, and the invention will be finally upper portion of the back section to remain in substantially fixed positions on the respective parts each including an elastic front portion and a none 1 pointed out in'the claims.

'In'the drawings: 7 v t Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partially broken away, of the undergarment, according to one il- Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionalview, taken along lustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention.

the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the rear,

showing the garment as worn in a standing posture.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the rear, showing the garment as worn in a sitting posture.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view from the rear, showing the garment as worn in a stepping up or climbing posture.

Fig. 8 is a plan view, showing the several parts, arranged in flat separated relation, from which the front section of the garment is constructed.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the several parts, arranged in flat separated relation, from which the back section of the garment is constructed.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation, showing the invention as incorporated in a corselet type of garment.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the undergarment, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises a front section consisting of a central panel part 10, preferably formed of non-elastic fabric, and front parts I|ll secured to the side edges of the panel [0 along seam lines l2--l2, and formed of two-way stretch elastic woven material capable of both vertical and horizontal stretch. A zipper type fastener I3 is preferably provided along the upper portion of the seam line l2 at one side, for convenience in putting on and removing the garment. The central panel It extends from the upper edge of the garment to the crotch seam, its side edges converging downwardly and curving inwardly to a relatively narrow parallel sided terminal portion adapted to extend into the crotch. The inner side edges of the front parts H-ll where they are secured along the seam lines I2-l2 converge downwardly and are curved inwardly, as shown clearly in Fig. 8, the lower relatively wide end portions of the front parts being extended below the central panel to form the forward sides of the leg portions of the garment. The outer side edges of the front parts H|l preferably extend substantially vertically along the medial lines of each side of the garment, being convexly curved in the fiat relation, as shown in Fig. 8.

The back section of the garment comprises a central back panel [4 having its upper edge substantially in the region of the waistline, its side edges diverging downwardly from the upper edge to points substantially in line with the hips and thereupon curving inwardly along a rear seat portion to a relatively narrow convergent terminal end which extends forwardly in the crotch and is secured to the lower terminal end of the front panel II] at the transverse crotch seam l5. The back section further comprises upper side parts l6l6 extending downwardly from the upper edge, secured at their outer side edges along seam lines l1l| to the side edges of the front parts lI--H and at their inner side edges along seam lines l8l8 to the upper portions of the outer side edges of the back panel l4, these side parts i 6-I 6 being constructed of non-elastic fabric material, so that there is no vertical :seam'lines I9|9 to the upper edges of substantially triangular shaped insert members 20-20 formed of two-Way stretch elastic material, the inner side edges of these insert members being 4 concavely curved and secured along seam lines 2|-2| to the side edges of the back panel. from a point substantially at the hip line downwardly to a point outwardly of the crotch and rear wardly spaced a substantial distance from the crotch seam [5. The weave of the back panel I4 is disposed substantially vertically and horizontally, while the weave of the insert members is disposed diagonally so that the threads in one direction are substantially tangential to the curved lines of the edges of the back panel along the seam lines 2l-2l. The triangular form of 'the insert members is such that maximum elasticity is provided along the wide inner edges at the seams 2l- -2l where lengthening of the body lines takes place, and the elasticity gradually diminishes toward the points disposed at the seam lines I1-|1 where no appreciable lengthening of the body lines takes place.

The lower edges of the insert members are in transverse lines substantially parallel to the lower edges of the leg portions and are secured along seam lines 2222 to the upper edges of the back leg parts 2323, which are constructed of non-elastic fabric material and have their outer side edges secured along the seam lines l1--ll to the outer side edges of the lower leg: portions of the front parts Il-Il. The inner end portions of the upper edges of the back leg parts are curved downwardly from the terminal ends of the straight upper edge portions secured along the seam lines 22-22 to the insert members, and are secured along seam lines 24-24 to the side edges of the back panel along the crotch area between the seams 22--22 and the transverse crotch seam I5, their inner end edges being secured to the inner edges of the lower front leg portions of the front parts I I-! 1 along the crotch seam l5 at each side of the joined terminal ends of the front and back panels.

The seams 22 and 24 extending along the upper edges of the back leg parts 23 are non-elastic, so that the back leg parts are adapted to remain substantially fixed upon the back portions of the thighs, the circumferential stretching of the leg portionsof the garment taking place entirely in the front elastic leg portions of the front parts I|l l. The seam lines 24-24 joining the nonelastic back leg sections 23 to the back panel are non-elastic, the seam lines 2I--2| joining the elastic insert members 20 to the back panel are elastic, and the seam lines joining the non-elastic side parts "i to the back panel are non-elastic. Thus the stretching of the side edges of the back panel is confined to and localized within the area along the seam lines 2|, while no stretching takes place along the seam lines 24 in the crotch area and the seam lines I 8. in the upper portion of the back of the garmentin theregion of the waistline. Hence, in assuming postures which cause lengthening of the body lines, the leg portions of the garment remain in substantially fixed posi tion upon the legs, the upper portion of the garment remains insubstantially fixed position in the region of the waistline, and stretching takes place within the elastic back panel and insert members along the elastic seam lines 2l2l. In assuming a sitting posture, as shown in Fig. 6, the stretching of the seams 2 l2| is substantially equal at each side. In assuming a climbing or stepping posture, as shown in Fig. '7, the stretching of the seam 2 I will take place at the side where the leg is raised.

Inner edgeand seam facings 25 cover the upper edge of the garment, the lower edges of the legs,

agave-a and all of the seams 'withthe exception of the :seams 27-42 ralon g the side iedges :of th iwpn tallongttheiedgesof theparts. wand 23, the-seam liszsendereii lnon-stretchable'zbecause of the :nonielastici character at .the material. Where :the seams join elastic parts at each side of the seam, such as the seams 2| joining the parts I4 and 20, the seams are stretchable because of the elastic character of the material. While different types of stitching may be employed for the nonstretching and stretching seams, and different types of facing may also be employed, the zig-zag type of stretchable stitching and the elastic facing are preferably employed for convenience and economy in manufacture.

Suitably positioned hose supporters 26 are secured to the lower edges of the leg portions of the garment.

In Fig. the invention is illustrated as incorporated in a corselet type of garment, including an upper brassire section 2'! provided with shoulder straps 28 extending from its upper edge to the upper edge of the back panel 14. A zipper type fastener 29 is provided along one side of the brassiere section and extends down into the front part I I at one side, for convenience in putting on and removing the garment.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a front section, aback section, and leg portions having a crotch formed by connecting portions of said front and back sections extending between them, said back section including an elastic back panel having vertical and horizontal stretch extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and forwardly at its lower end within the crotch, its forward edge being secured within the crotch to the lower end of said front section whereby adjacent portions of said front and back sections form the crotch, its side edges being secured by transversely spaced seams to the adjacent portions of the garment, said seams being non-elastic within the crotch and elastic for a substantial distance extending outwardly from the non-elastic portions within the crotch.

2. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a front section, a back section, and leg portions having a crotch formed byconnecting portions of said front and back sections extending between them, said front section including a non-elastic central panel extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and rearwardly at its lower end within the crotch, and elastic front parts at each side of said front panel having vertical and horizontal stretch and extended below said front panel to form front leg portions, said back section including an elastic back panel having vertical and herizontal stretch extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and forwardly at its lower end within the crotch and connected at its forward edge within the crotch to the lower end of said front panel, whereby adjacent portions of said front and back sections form the crotch,

sideedges being secured' by transversely-spaced seamsto "the adjacent portions cf the garment, "said seamsbeingnon-elastic witl'fin the :crctch and -'e"la-sti'c for a substantial distance extending upwardly from the nen elastic pert ions within the crotch.

i3. A bifurcated closefitting b'o dy-molflfclln'g garment, comprising a -'front;secticn, a back section, and leg portions having a crotch foi' n'ie'd "by connecting portions-of said front and can; sections extending "between them, said -back"section includingan *elastic back panel having vertical and horizontal stretch extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and forwardly at its lower end within the crotch, its forward edge being secured within the crotch to the lower end of said front section, non-elastic back leg parts secured by non-stretchable seams at their upper edges within the crotch to the side edges of said back panel within the crotch, and elastic insert members secured at their lower edges to the upper edges of said back leg sections rearwardly of said crotch seams and secured by stretchable seams at their inner edges to the side edges of said non-stretchable back panel alonga. substantial distance extending upwardly from the non-elastic seams.

4. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a front section, a back section, and leg portions having a crotch formed by connecting portions of said front and back sections extending between them, said back section including an elastic back panel having vertical and horizontal stretch extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and forwardly at its lower end within the crotch, its forward edge being secured within the crotch to the lower end of said front section, non-elastic back leg parts secured by non-stretchable seams at their upper edges within the crotch to the side edges of said back panel within the crotch, elastic insert members secured at their lower edges to the upper edges of said back leg sections rearwardly of said crotch seams and secured by stretchable seams at their inner edges to the side edges of said non-stretchable back panel along a substantial distance extending upwardly from the non-elastic seams within the crotch, and nonelastic side members secured by non-stretchable seams at their inner edges to the side edges of said back panel from said insert members to the upper edge of the garment, and secured by seams at their lower edges to the upper edges of said insert members.

5. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a front section, a back section, and leg portions having a crotch formed by connecting portions of said front and back sections extending between them, said front section including a non-elastic central panel extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and rearwardly at its lower end within the crotch, and elastic front parts at each side of said front panel having vertical and horizontal stretch and extended below said front panel to form front leg portions, said back section including an elastic back panel having vertical and horizontal stretch extending downwardly from the upper edge of the garment and forwardly at its lower end within the crotch and connected to the lower end of said front panel, non-elastic back leg parts secured by seams at their upper edges within the crotch to the side edges of said back panel within the crotch, elastic insert members of substantially triangular shape secured at their lower :edges to the upper edges of said back leg sections 1 REFERENCES CITED rearwardly of said crotch seams and secured by The following references are of record in the stretchable seams at their inner edges to the side V edges of said back panel along a substantial disme of this patent tance extending upwardly from the non-elastic 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS seams within the crotch, and non-elastic side members secured by seams at their inner edges gg Wi gzfg 3 3 3 to the side edges of said back panel from said 2169585 3 1939 insert members to the upper edge of the garment, 2219153 Verso; 1940 and secured by seams at their lower edges to the 10 2344374 "T"'M 1944:

upper edges of said insert members.

EILEEN A. ROCKWELL. 

